By Keniya B.
The International Baccalaureate Program, also known as IB, focuses on a worldly view of topics and helping students become culturally aware. Some high schools offer individual IB classes, but many students opt for the two-year IB Diploma Programme which takes place during junior and senior year. This program has a strict set of curriculum to follow as well as a requirement of community service and a research paper. Students in the IB program must pass the final exam with a score of 4, 5, 6, or 7 to earn college credit. Similar to AP exams, the amount of college credits a student can earn from their IB exam scores depends on college policies. To earn the IB Diploma, students must generally have an overall score of 24 from the exams of the required courses, though other criteria has to be met to ensure the diploma is received. Additionally, enrollment in the IB course is required to take its exam.
Dual Enrollment courses are normally offered through local community colleges. These courses are still college level, but instead of the college credit relying on a final exam score, it relies on a student's grades in the classroom. Some of these courses are taught in person while others are taught online. Dual Enrollment also allows for flexibility in choosing courses as classes can be in interests outside of the core curriculum such as psychology. Many high schools do have requirements to be eligible for dual enrollment courses such as a minimum GPA.
Earning college credit in high school is a great way for students to prepare and save money for college classes. While high schools offer many ways to get college credit, three of the most popular are through Advanced Placement courses, dual enrollment courses, and the International Baccalaureate program. All provide a rigorous curriculum which aims to help prepare students for the future while also allowing them to earn credits for college. Many high schools offer more than one way to earn these credits. So when designing their schedule, students should be sure they understand what's involved in each of the programs. The rest of this infographic will discuss what's involved in the three main avenues for earning college credit as a high schooler.
Colleges differ in which programs they allow credits to transfer from and how many credits these courses amount to, so when deciding which courses to take, students should research their target college’s policy regarding these programs.
Whether a student takes AP classes, IB classes, or dual enrollment classes, they will develop skills that will be helpful in college and other aspects of life!
Advanced Placement Courses
International Baccaluerate Program
Dual Enrollment
Conclusion
COLLEGE CREDIT FOR HIGH-SCHOOLERS
Advanced Placement courses are offered by the College Board. AP Exams differ depending on the course, but most exams last anywhere from 90 minutes to 195 minutes. The majority of these exams consist of a multiple-choice section and a free response section. Students must pass the AP exams with a score of 3, 4 or 5 to earn college credit. Though a score of 3, 4, or 5 are considered passing, not all colleges accept them for college credit. Some colleges do not accept scores of 3, and the introductory courses students can skip in college vary based on a score of 4 or 5. AP exams also provide flexibility in course selection as AP courses extend beyond core classes and include outside interests such as music theory. Additionally, students do not have to take the class to take an AP Exam, and many students choose to self-study for them instead. Syllabuses for each AP course are provided online for those who are self-studying or are trying to decide on whether to take an AP course.
College Credit for High Schoolers
AP vs. IB vs. DE
"Benefits Of IB For Students | International Baccalaureate®". International Baccalaureate®, 2021, https://www.ibo.org/benefits/benefits-for-students/. Accessed 28 Apr 2021.
Edwards, Halle. How Long Are AP Exams? AP Test Experts, PrepScholar, 9 Feb. 2021, blog.prepscholar.com/how-long-are-ap-exams. Accessed 8 Jul 2021.
Flynn, Kathryn. "What Is Dual Enrollment?". Savingforcollege.Com, 2021, https://www.savingforcollege.com/article/what-is-dual-enrollment. Accessed 28 Apr 2021.
Isparis.Edu, 2021, https://www.isparis.edu/uploaded/Documents/B2S_2018- 19/IBDP_Handbook_Class_of_2019.pdf. Accessed 28 Apr 2021.
Moody, Josh, and Alexandra Pannoni. “IB vs. AP: Discover the Differences.” U.S. News & World Report, U.S. News & World Report, 4 Dec. 2019, www.usnews.com/education/blogs/high- school-notes/2014/09/02/discover-the
-difference -between-ap-and-ib-classes. Accessed 28 Apr 2021.
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These are wonderful programs! We have the AP classes and Dual Enrollment at the high school that I teach at. Many of our students take advantage of these resources and some go to college with 2 years of credit at such a savings!
ReplyDeleteThis infographic does a great job explaining different ways students can earn college credit. There are so many options and figuring out what is best for an individual can be overwhelming for students and guardians. Earning college credit in high school is an amazing opportunity for students to explore disciplines and save money!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great overview of the different options available to students to earn college credit. We have AP classes and Duel Enrollment available where I teach and my sons have experienced both - I feel this gives them a balanced approach - learning from our great AP teachers, with the option of earning credit with the AP exams, and working with the duel enrollment to get a head start in earning actual credits for free.
ReplyDeleteThank you for showing us all the options for college credit. I never knew that some of these were offered in North Carolina. It was great to learn about the IB program, I did not know much about it.
ReplyDeleteIt is great to see information made available to high school students about how to earn college credit and essentially cut the costs of college and increase the academic intensity of their high school education.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing knowledgeable blogpost it's very help ful for us. please keep sharing. please check out here for more info https://www.uscaacademy.com/
ReplyDeleteThis is very informative! I am sharing this with my colleagues for the Success 101 course. I know that our students will benefit from this detailed information.
ReplyDeleteThis information is very helpful. While I had a great understanding of AP and DE, I enjoyed reading about the IB program. It is nice to see this information in a one stop shop for all students to review and make decisions on what is best for them.
ReplyDeleteAs the DE contact at my high school, I found this article very interesting. I am unable to weigh in on AP v DE because quite frankly, it is the decision of the student. I will say that for those students who are looking for college credit without the rigor of AP courses, DE is the way to go!
ReplyDeleteThe infographic did a great job explaining the difference between the different ways students can earn college credits in high school. I currently teach an AP class and have several students who take part in the dual enrollment. Although I have heard about the IB program I wasn't sure what it actually was. Really great information.
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